Throughout the Calgary Journal’s extensive coverage on secondary suites, overarching patterns and issues involving these developments were uncovered.

If a Calgarian wishes to apply for a development permit they must go through the City of Calgary Development Authority, which manages developments throughout the city and also classifies each suite as legal, illegal or non-conforming.

The City of Calgary defines a secondary suite as “a self-contained living space consisting of a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen located within or on the same property as a single family home.” They’re often referred to as basement suites or mother-in-law suites.

Proponents of alternative housing argue that as Calgary grows, urban development must also evolve. They say members of the community should be able to afford to stay for the long haul instead of being pushed out by rising prices and a lack of housing availability at any stage of life

Propelled by its booming economy, the lure of employment in an up-and-coming city draws thousands of new residents to Calgary every year. Calgary has become one of the fastest-growing cities in North America and has experienced its fair share of growing pains in the process. With a population that has nearly doubled over the past 35 years, discussions over exactly how this rapidly expanding city should grow have pushed their way to the forefront of public debate.